ingersoll



R. 11. INGBRSOLL. V

' TOY BLOCKS.

Patented Peb.20, 1883.

76 ss. ""E n:

' 'UNITED STATES PATE T. OFFICE.

ROBERT H. INGERSOLL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOY BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,443, dated February 20, 1883.

Application filed January 5, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. INGERSOLL,

and at the same time interest and stimulate to' mental and industrial exertion and improvemeht. I attain this objectby means of the series of blocks illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 are views in perspective of cubes of wood constructed in the manner hereinafter described, Fig. 3 having the handle in place ready for use. Fig. 7 is aplan view of a sheet of paper on which is printed an illustrated phrase or charade by means of the type and cuts attached to blocks shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4., and 5. Fig.8 is aviewin perspective of an inexhaustible ink-pad construct-- ed in sections, each one 'of which contains an ink of a color different from the othersviz., R, red; Y, yellow; G, green; B, blue, and B, black. Figs. 9 and 10 are plan views of slotted guides to enable the child to print the figures in straight or curved lines when desired. Fig. 11 is a side view of a handle, h, with a point or projection, P, at the lower end to fit snugly intov the hole 0 in the blocks, which handle is provided with a rubber cushion, '6, and is detachable and to be used in handling the blocks. 3

Similar letters refer to'similar parts throughout the several views.

The blocks 1 2 3 4 56 are provided on three sides with types or cuts representing letters, figures, or designs, which types and cuts are constructed of rubber and vulcanized onto the 1 surface of the block. On the side of each cube opposite to said type or cut is placed a representation or impression made from the same, so that the child will know what type or out is on the bottom of the block.

In the center of each surface of the block, on the side opposite the type or cut, I make a hole, 0, perpendicular to the surface, about tlllB-SlXLGGIJthS of an inch in diameter, and line it with soft rubber, constituting a springcushion, which serves by lateral pressure to attach the block to the handle h'while it is removed from its case or the table and used in printing by means of the typeor out on the opposite side. When the printing is accomplished the block may be replaced, and by pressing the finger on the upper corner the handle can be withdrawn and inserted into the block to be next used.

The handle h is provided with a rubber cushion, z', by which the pressure will be equalized, and thus enable the operator to make a better impression.

By way of illustration, the three figures 1, 2, 3 represent similar cubes, the cube in Fig. 1 having on side a the printed letter A, while on the opposite side is the type from which the letterA was printed. In Fig. 2, on its side I), is seen the picture ofa boy, while on its opposite side is the cut of a boy from which the picture was printed. In Fig. 3, on its side a, is seen the picture of a house, while on its opposite side is the cut from which the picture was printed. In Fig. 4, on its side (I, is seen the letter N, while on the opposite side is the type from which the letterN was printed. In Fig. 5, on the side 0, is seen the letter D, while on the opposite side is the type from which the letter D was printed. The handle'h is seen inserted in the block at Fig.3, ready for use. In Fig. 7 is seen an illustrated phrase or charade' which has been printed by using I the type and cuts shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4., 5 in the following order 12 1 4 5 3. The handle h, being inserted in the hole in the block, Fig. 1, is grasped by the rubber cushion O sufliciently to attach the block to the handle. It is then applied to the ink-pad, Fig. 8, and then to the paper, Fig. 7, printing the letter A. It is then returned to its place, a finger pressed on a corner, the handle h detached and replaced in the block, Fig. 2, which is used in the same manner to print the impression of the boy on the paper, Fig. 7. The same process is then repeated with the blocks 1, 4t, 5, and 3 successively, and the illustrated phrase or charade, Fig. 7, is complete, and the handle I I make use of three sides of the cubes as type-faces, though, if desired, only one or any number of the sides may be used, to suit the taste or wishes of the manufacturer. The

5 more sides that are used the greater variety of type can be obtained with a given number of blocks. In maps and blocks of that description only one side can be used as a typesurt'aee. Any form of toy block having two 10 or more sides may be used for the purpose.

The blocks used may each be provided with letters or figures only, or letters, figures, and cuts may be used on the same block.

It will readily be seen that by using a series 1 of blocks with a variety of pictures, letters, and figures, by means of the handle it a child can constructa great variety of words, phrases, and sentences, and can illustrate an endless variety of historical and life scenes pertaining :0 to parks, fields, garden, farm-yards, circus, menagerie,m1litary parade, 850., enlivening the pictures by the use of such colored ink as will be appropriate to the thing represented. Such exercise will call into active cooperation the 25 ingenuity, imagination, and taste, and contribute to the amusement of the child, while it stimulates to thought and mental exertion. The mechanical construction avoids the necessity of handling the type, and thus makes 0 it a cleanly as well as useful improvement.

1 am aware that rubber type has been used for children, called kindergarten type, but that has been simply ordinary blocked-rubber type, having no connection with toy blocks,

5 and provided with no means of handling.

All such typeI disclaim as dedicated to public use.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A series of toy blocks provided with rubber types and cuts of letters, figures, and pictures, whereby children may construct on paper Words, phrases, and sentences, and illustrate them by means of pictorial representations, as herein described and shown.

2. A series of toy blocks provided with rubber types and cuts of letters, figures, and pictures vulcanized onto the body of the block, with a pictureof said type or cut on the 0pposite side, as herein described and shown.

3. Toy blocks with rubber types and cuts vulcanized on the surface, and provided with a tubular rubber spring or cushion for attaching a detachable handle, as herein described and shown.

4. Toy blocks provided with rubber types and cuts, and a detachable handle having a rubber cushion for equalizing the pressure, as herein described and shown.

5. As a new article of manufacture and commerce, toy blocks in sets or series, provided with types and cuts of letters, figures, and pictures made of rubber, with a tubular rubber cushion or spring for attaching a detachable handle, with rubber cushion for equalizing the pressure, as herein described and shown.

ROBERT H. INGERSOLL. Witnesses:

G. W. NELSON, WM. S. CLARK. 

